Pubdate: Wed, 18 Aug 2004
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2004 Johnson City Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Kevin Castle, NET News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

ORGANIZATION TRYING TO PLACE METHADONE CLINIC IN SCOTT CO.

WEBER CITY - A South Carolina-based organization has filed for a
license to run a methadone clinic in Scott County near Weber City. The
Virginia Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
informed Scott County attorney Dean Foster in an Aug. 13 letter that
Appalachian Treatment Services LLC has submitted the necessary forms
for a license to operate the facility.

Scott County doesn't have a zoning ordinance, which could regulate the
location of a methadone clinic.

"I have alerted all local officials (to the license application),"
Foster said. "(Appalachian Treatment Services) just lost a round in
Washington County, so I guess they have decided to test our waters."

Earlier this month, ATS scrapped plans to place a clinic in the Old
Dominion Road area of Bristol near John Battle High School after the
county's Zoning Commission ruled the planned location was not zoned to
permit substance abuse facilities.

Methadone is a legal, synthetic opioid that is used as a substitute
for heroin and other addictive painkillers. Regular oral consumption
of the drug blocks heroin withdrawal symptoms, one of the biggest
hurdles for addicts to overcome when they try to quit the drug.

ATS sponsor Richard Skelskey said Tuesday that his employer has
claimed an option on a piece of property located adjacent to the
Roadrunner Market convenience store about a half mile over the
Virginia state line along U.S. Route 23.

The phone number that is listed on the information sign at the
property is registered to Arnold Riggs of Big Stone Gap, owner of
Riggs Oil Co.

Skelskey said the company has plans to either construct a building or
purchase a modular home that could be moved onto that location.

"These plans are all contingent upon the county approving this,'' said
Skelskey.

Foster said this isn't the first time the county has prepared to
formally oppose a methadone clinic from coming into Scott County.

He was approached by two individuals in August 1999 about ordinances
or restrictions that would prohibit the operation of a methadone
clinic in the Weber City area.

The two never formally filed for a state license to operate a clinic.

Scott County Sheriff Jerry Broadwater, members of the Board of
Supervisors and Delegate Terry Kilgore all expressed concern over a
methadone clinic.

Foster said the issue could not come at more crucial time for the
county. The Scott County Planning Commission recently hired a firm to
help it institute zoning ordinances throughout the county.

Although Nickelsville, Gate City and Dungannon already have zoning
ordinances, Scott County is not scheduled to formally adopt zoning
laws until the final quarter of 2005 following public hearings, said
Foster.

"I have written memos to the county Board of Supervisors expressing
the need for zoning since 1999,'' Foster said.

"As a matter of fact, a pamphlet we have recently produced to inform
the public of zoning community workshops we have coming up at the end
of the month and in September notes that such land uses as adult
businesses and drug treatment centers can currently locate anywhere in
the county because we don't have zoning,'' he said.
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